Category: Law enforcement
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Waushara Co Sheriff’s deputy demotes self after inquiry into job performance
Scott Schaut, who had been the department’s night-shift sergeant, was on an improvement plan when The Badger Project requested those records. He resigned from that leadership position shortly after.
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The Badger Project settles lawsuit after Racine Co PD releases records, pays $1500
The Badger Project sued the Wind Point Police Department after it denied records requests related to an officer who resigned in 2023. The village agreed to produce what they had and pay attorney’s fees.
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New police chief in Racine County was arrested for drunk driving in 2008
Waterford Police Chief Timothy O’Neill was arrested for OWI during his tenure as a cop in nearby Sturtevant. He said he took full responsibility and used the incident to gain more “compassion and insight.”
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Richland Center PD, Richland Co Sheriff change records policy after our story
Following The Badger Project’s reporting, the Richland Center Police Department and Richland County Sheriff’s Office have discontinued a minimum $25 fee for records, which experts said was illegal.
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‘Clearly illegal’: Richland Co Sheriff, city PD starting at $25 for all records requests
The law enforcement agencies’ minimum fees, experts say, contradict Wisconsin state law that states any charges for records requests must be tied to a calculation of the actual cost of producing the records.
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Waushara County Sheriff must repay $22k plus interest in K9 stipends, board votes
An investigation from The Badger Project found that Sheriff Walter Zuehlke had continued taking a monthly stipend for years after quitting trainings for his law enforcement dog Argo.
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Bill to increase penalty for impersonating cops advances in Wisconsin Legislature
A bipartisan bill seeks to change the crime of impersonating a police officer from a misdemeanor to a felony. The move comes after several instances in Wisconsin and the killing of a lawmaker in Minnesota.
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Banned statewide, bill allowing traffic cameras in Milwaukee creeps forward
A bipartisan bill in the Wisconsin State Legislature would let the city install traffic cameras to ticket speeders and red light runners. Milwaukee’s top brass has begged lawmakers for the exception.
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Waushara Co Sheriff promoted deputy after lewd photos, other bad behavior
Matthew Elliott resigned from the sheriff’s department last month, just days after The Badger Project requested a 2022 investigation into him propositioning colleagues and sending others lewd photos.
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Ex-Muskego officer accused of sex assault by fellow cop working at nearby agency
Andrew Sundstrom, a former Muskego Police K9 officer, was accused of sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend, also a cop. He was forced out of the job but not charged and claims the allegations were “manufactured.”
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GOP lawmakers want to include state police in law enforcement bill of rights
Wisconsin is one of many states to protect cops through a bill of rights, but it excludes state-employed police. Some lawmakers want to change that, while critics worry they are receiving special treatment.
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The Badger Project sues Wind Point PD after it refuses records requests
A veteran of that Racine County police department quit in 2023 before the completion of an investigation into his conduct. The Badger Project sued after the department denied its requests for that investigation.
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Waushara Co Sheriff took over $20k for K9 partner after quitting trainings
Sheriff Walter Zuehlke stopped training ‘Argo’ in 2019 after his election, but continued taking $400 monthly care checks from the county, even after the dog died, an investigation by The Badger Project found.
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NW Wisconsin cop forced out for bad behavior now working at Hayward PD
Officer Matthew Frey resigned in lieu of termination from the Cumberland Police Department after facing dozens of complaints, including cursing at civilians and watching YouTube on duty.
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Ex-Jackson Co chief deputy ousted for bad behavior working at nearby Neillsville PD
Adam Olson resigned from his position as the second-ranking officer at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office last year while under investigation for inappropriate relationships with female subordinates.
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Ex-Northern Wis jail head who sent lewd texts to female deputies working as cop
Jeffrey Johnson resigned from the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office in 2022 after sending sexual images to female jail deputies. He was later hired in the next county over at the Minong Police Department.
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WisDOT releases records, pays legal fees after lawsuit from The Badger Project
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation twice refused to release records pertaining to a former State Patrol officer, so The Badger Project sued. Less than two weeks later, the department agreed to release them.
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The Badger Project sues DOT for records in investigation of former state trooper
A former state trooper was “terminated for cause” in 2020, but has continued to work in law enforcement. The Badger Project argues the DOT’s refusal to release documents related to the case is illegal.